THE PACKAGING OF THE FUTURE
Sustainability,
but also safety and innovation. Here are the new frontiers of cosmetic
packaging.
One of the main challenges that the packaging industry will have to face in the
coming years will be linked to the reduction of environmental impact, with
particular attention paid to CO2 emissions. According to criteria set by the
2016 Paris Agreement, the EU is committed to having net zero climate impact by
2050. The agreement, signed by 196 countries, states that greenhouse gases must
not increase from now to 2025 but the consulting agency Gartner has already
announced that 90% of companies won’t be able to respect these terms of the
agreement due to their dependence on fossil fuel-based plastics and single-use
packaging.
“Net zero design” remains a top priority in the beauty world, even if the road
to get there is still long- with over 120 billion units produced at the global
level every year, equal to 70% of the sector’s waste, packaging in one of the
key contributors to the beauty industry’s carbon footprint.
Indeed, the recycling of empty containers isn’t a trivial issue due to mixed
materials or the various small parts that are difficult to separate. For this,
the manufacturing world is looking at mono-material solutions and the
possibility of separating different materials once a product is finished.
It’s the consumers themselves asking for a change of course towards increased
eco-friendliness. Research carried out by Unilever showed that 90% of GEN Z
expects that brands do more to reduce climate impact while a study by Trivium
Packaging reveale that 86% of consumers under 45 would be willing to pay more
for a product with more sustainable packaging.
Another huge area of development will be in intelligent packaging, with new
technologies that will help brands have a more complete vision of the life of
consumers while allowing the latter to access more information about the
product and feel more comfortable using it.
ALL EYES ON AIRLESS WITH POUCH PACKAGING
A fundamental tool to add value to the consumer experience and help brands
stand out from the masses, despite the increase in production costs and
transport, cosmetic packaging is expected to reach 43,59 by 2028 with a CAGR of
5% between 2021 and 2028 (source: PRNewswire x The Insight Partners). In this
market, there’s a place of honor set aside for airless solutions (which has a
predicted CAGR of +5,9% in 2023) designed to avoid waste and guarantee product
integrity. Lumson, with its airless with pouch options, is one of the greatest
examples of the Made in Italy combination of innovation and sustainability.
This is demonstrated by the 50mL APP LIGHT in PCR PE, the first new product of
2023.
The 50mL APP LIGHT in PCR PE isn’t just 25% lighter than the equivalent APP355
thanks to a reduction of the bottle’s thickness, but it’s also more sustainable
thanks to the materials used to make it (80% PCR HDPE + 20% HDPE) and reduced
CO2 emissions. In fact, a SPICE analysis (an international platform that
measures the sustainability of products and processes), showed that the CO2
emissions generated for the production of APP 355 LIGHT are 19% less when
compared with APP START (another one of Lumson’s airless in PE). “We also
expect excellent feedback for TAG, our original airless with pouch solution -
explains the President of Lumson, Matteo Moretti-. To highlight our commitment
to sustainable innovation, this best-seller of ours is also available in 25%
recycled glass: a solution that we’re sure will win over the public”.